McNair Scholars Program
Deadline to apply: contact mcnair@uwyo.edu to learn more
The McNair Scholars Program is an undergraduate research and graduate school preparation program. We prepare students from groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education for success in doctoral degree programs.
About the McNair Program
Initiated by Congress and established by the U.S. Department of Education in 1989, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Program is one of the federal TRiO programs. It is named in memory of astronaut and Space Shuttle Challenger crew member, Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was the first in his family to go to college and ultimately earned a Ph.D. in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The UW McNair Scholars Program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, and has been continuously funded and active on the UW campus since 1992. Since the program’s inception at UW, more than 60 UW McNair alumni have gone on to earn their Ph.D.s in a wide variety of fields and disciplines.
UW’s McNair Scholars Program works because it provides students opportunities to define goals, engage in research, and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.
Twelve to sixteen highly motivated undergraduates with a desire to pursue a Ph.D. are selected each year to become McNair Scholars. Selection occurs through a competitive application process, which includes a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interviews.
Purpose
The McNair Scholars Program is an undergraduate research program and graduate school preparation program for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We provide services that promote successful entry to graduate school and increase the likelihood that participants will complete a Ph.D. program.
Services & Benefits
- Funded research internship ($2,800 stipend, plus housing allowance)
- Individualized, holistic advising in a supportive and encouraging environment
- Mentoring (by faculty and graduate student mentors, as well as McNair Program staff)
- Free tutoring
- Graduate school preparation workshops (including GRE and personal statements)
- Individualized advice and assistance with all components of graduate school applications
- Funded travel to conferences and graduate school campus visits
- McNair Research course (three upper-division credit hours)
- Partial GRE fee waiver
- Graduate school application fee waivers at most U.S. universities
How it Works
Approximately 12 to 16 highly motivated undergraduate students are selected each year through a competitive application process to become McNair Scholars. Students begin the program early in the spring semester with a series of workshops designed to introduce students to the research process, including literature reviews, research design, proposal writing and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). During this time, students are paired with a faculty mentor in their chosen field and begin developing their own original research project under the guidance of the mentor.
During the summer, students complete a paid research internship, where they are paid a $3,400 stipend to complete their research project under the guidance of the faculty mentor and a graduate student mentor. Also during the summer, students complete a series of workshops that cover preparing for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the graduate school admissions process, and demystifying the culture of graduate school and academia.
McNair is a holistic program that is invested in the success of students. We succeed when our students succeed and achieve their goals. Along the way, students receive intensive, individualized advising from McNair staff in a safe and supportive environment and a close community of scholars. This process supports students through the transition to becoming a researcher and guides them through the process of identifying and applying to graduate schools, and evaluating graduate school offers.
Eligibility
Highly motivated, hard-working undergraduates with a desire to earn a Ph.D.
Meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0
First-generation college student AND Limited-income
Contact us with questions or for help determining your eligibility.
You may also use our online form to assess Eligibility and request more information.
Application
For an application see McNair staff, email them at mcnair@uwyo.edu